Hot Baths Beat Stretching for Runners' Recovery
A runner has discovered that a hot bath, with or without salt, aids muscle recovery better than stretching or massage guns. The author tested this method over four weeks, finding significant benefits.
The author's body seemed to adapt to the running routine, making recovery easier. Hot water, not magnesium glycinate, appeared to be the key factor in muscle recovery. While legs felt fresher with salt, the author couldn't definitively attribute this to the salt alone.
Two brands, Better You and Nathalie Bond, showed no significant difference. Magnesium glycinate in bath salt can boost magnesium levels, but has limited effect if levels are already high from a healthy diet. Magnesium aids muscle function, blood pressure, and energy levels, and can be absorbed through hair follicles and sweat glands.
The runner found that hot baths, with or without salt, enhanced muscle recovery. While salt offered a pleasant sensory experience and mental relaxation, their physical benefits were inconclusive. The author recommends hot baths as a valuable recovery tool for runners.
